No. 5 Foothill hands Tustin its first setback

Tustin junior Rob Nelson drives to the basket during Saturday's game at Foothill High School.JEFF ANTENORE, FOR THE REGISTER

Justin Davis carried fifth-ranked Foothill for three quarters, and his team rallied around its stout defense late as the Knights defeated No. 6 Tustin, 58-50, Saturday night in a nonleague boys basketball game at Foothill High.

Davis scored a game-high 30 points as the Knights (10-1) battled their way to a seventh consecutive victory.

Foothill handed the Tillers (10-1) their first loss due largely to its strong defense. The Knights held Nick Hornsby and Deondre Bryant, the Tillers' top-two scorers, to just seven points in the first half.

Kyle Lawson drew the assignment of guarding Hornsby. Hornsby, who signed with Sacramento State, shot just 4 of 24 from the field for a nine points.

"He's been guarding the other team's best guy every night," Knights coach Rusty Van Cleave said. "He's really matured in that role."

Foothill opened up a big lead early. The Knights spread the ball around and five scored in the first quarter. A buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Lawson gave the Knights a 16-6 edge after one quarter.

The Tillers made an adjustment in the second quarter, attacking the rim and converting a pair of layups after contact to give themselves 3-point opportunities. Tustin matched its first quarter output on its first two possessions of the second period, but the Tillers were unable to put a dent in the Knights' lead. Davis scored 10 points in the quarter, and Foothill led, 29-20, at the half.

Davis continued his hot night coming out of the break. He scored 10 points in the third period, making the Tillers pay with a combination of dribble penetration and good free-throw shooting. Davis was true on 16 of 18 free-throw attempts in the game.

Bryant came alive for the Tillers in the third, scoring 10 points as Tustin closed to six entering the final period.

Despite Hornsby's struggles, the Tillers refused to go away. A Bryant layup with 5:40 left tied it at 48, as the Tillers completed a 10-2 run midway through the fourth quarter.

Jacob Dean followed with a go-ahead layup, and Connor Stevens made good on a pair of 2-point baskets to keep the Knights in front for good.

Davis was proud of his teammates' ability to come through with the game on the line, saying, "It's huge. We preach team, and we play collectively."

Rivalry games bring out the best in some players, and Van Cleave could remember when he was a part of the rivalry growing up.

"It's a great rivalry," he said. "You have two teams with local kids. They're both having great seasons."

Tustin junior Rob Nelson drives to the basket during Saturday's game at Foothill High School.JEFF ANTENORE, FOR THE REGISTER
Foothill point guard Justin Davis tries to shake two Tustin players as he shoots the ball during Saturday night's game.JEFF ANTENORE, FOR THE REGISTER
Foothill's Jacob Dean drives to the basket during a home game against Tustin High School on Saturday evening.JEFF ANTENORE, FOR THE REGISTER
Foothill point guard Justin Davis shoots a running jump shot during Saturday's home game against Tustin High School.JEFF ANTENORE, FOR THE REGISTER
Tustin's Alex Lezama, left, and other Tustin and Foothill players scramble for a loose ball during Saturday night's match-up.JEFF ANTENORE, FOR THE REGISTER
Foothill point guard Justin Davis tries to shake two Tustin players as he shoots the ball during Saturday night's game.JEFF ANTENORE, FOR THE REGISTER
Tustin's Xavier Powell shoots the ball during Saturday's game at Foothill High School. JEFF ANTENORE, FOR THE REGISTER
Foothill students yell at Tustin's basketball players during Saturday's cross-town rivalry game.JEFF ANTENORE, FOR THE REGISTER
Tustin's Deondre Bryant shoots the ball during Saturday's game at Foothill High School.JEFF ANTENORE, FOR THE REGISTER
Tustin's Deondre Bryant shoots the ball during a cross-town rivalry game at Foothill High School on Saturday evening.JEFF ANTENORE, FOR THE REGISTER
Tustin's Xavier Powell shoots the ball during a cross-town rivalry game at Foothill High School on Saturday evening.JEFF ANTENORE, FOR THE REGISTER
Tustin's Nick Hornsby shoots the ball during a cross-town rivalry game at Foothill High School on Saturday evening.JEFF ANTENORE, FOR THE REGISTER
Foothill seniors Taylor Horner, left, and Kira Day cheer on the Knights during Saturday's home basketball game against Tustin High School. JEFF ANTENORE, FOR THE REGISTER
Foothill's Steven Browne is blocked and fouled by Tustin players as he drives to the basket during Saturday's game.JEFF ANTENORE, FOR THE REGISTER
Tustin High School basketball fans cheer on their team during a competitive game against cross-town rival Foothill High School on Saturday.JEFF ANTENORE, FOR THE REGISTER
Foothill seniors Justin Marks, Cole Othmer, Devlin Bolant, Grant Gruber and Conner Herrell, from left, cheer on their school's basketball team during a home game against cross-town rivals Tustin High School on Saturday.JEFF ANTENORE, FOR THE REGISTER

1 of

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.